By Vermont State Rep. Ashley Bartley | February 18, 2025
Baby Bonds are an increasingly popular bipartisan government policy in which every child born into poverty receives a publicly funded trust account at birth. This “start-up capital” allows young adults to access education, home ownership, and entrepreneurship, enabling them to build wealth and lead lives that are hopeful, fulfilling, productive, prosperous, and self-directed. Follow our Baby Blogs series to learn about the vision, politics, and people behind Baby Bonds and their transformative impact on the lives of young people, their families, communities, and our economy.
In this installment of Baby Blogs, Vermont State Representative Ashley Bartley (R) explains how Baby Bonds can seed opportunity in rural communities in Vermont and across the country.
Rural America is often overlooked in economic development efforts. Declining populations, limited jobs, and lack of opportunity have left many of our communities behind.
Growing up in a small town in Vermont, I witnessed firsthand how generational poverty limits opportunity. In my community, there was a clear divide between the “right side of the tracks” and the “wrong side.”
Young people in rural communities face an uphill battle when trying to build a better life for themselves, and too often one’s financial standing at birth dictates their future. This is why Vermont—and the nation—should implement a Baby Bonds program to break cycles of rural poverty and promote long-term prosperity.
A Baby Bonds program would provide every child born into low-income families with a funded savings account. As the child grows, so does the investment, ensuring that by the time they reach adulthood, they have capital to invest in their future, whether that’s higher education, homeownership, or starting a business. The initiative would have a big impact at a small price tag, helping revitalize communities by empowering young people to grow and contribute to the local economy.
Vermont is currently developing a Baby Bonds pilot program, led by Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, who brought the proposal forward. The pilot program will evaluate the potential impact and needs of a fully funded statewide Baby Bonds program. As a Republican Legislator, I was proud to support this proposal because I believe it aligns with values that transcend political divides: personal responsibility, opportunity, and the belief that individuals should have the tools to succeed and contribute to society.
By helping individuals build wealth from a young age, the program would reduce the need for government assistance in the future and relieve pressure on Vermont’s state budget. As beneficiaries use their Baby Bonds to further their education, secure housing, or start a business, they will contribute to economic growth and tax revenues, starting a cycle of prosperity rather than poverty.
For Vermont’s rural communities, the impact of Baby Bonds could be transformative. Young people who might otherwise feel forced to leave in search of better opportunities could instead launch small businesses, put down roots, or pursue higher education without crippling debt. The ripple effect would be felt across the state, revitalizing our communities and strengthening our economy.
I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Vermont House General and Housing Committee, working to implement policies that promote economic opportunity for all Vermonters. Baby Bonds represent a bold approach to breaking cycles of rural poverty and ensuring that every child, no matter where they are born, has a fair shot at success.
Vermont State Representative Ashley Bartley is a lifelong Vermonter. She grew up in Charlotte, graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School and earned her BS in political science and economics from the University of Vermont. Upon graduation, Ashley began her career as a Human Resources professional. She has dedicated herself to the communities she serves and currently serves on the Franklin County Home Health Agency’s Board of Directors, as well as serving as the secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Fairfax Community Library. Ashley lives with her husband, small children and her dog, Duke, in Fairfax. When not serving her community or working, she can be found in her kitchen, cooking with her family.
If you missed previous installments of our Baby Blogs series, read them here.
Learn more about Baby Bonds in Vermont.
To share feedback on this blog, or for questions about Baby Bonds, email David Radcliffe at radclifd@newschool.edu.
To learn more, explore our Baby Bonds resources.